General Atomics Receives R&D 100 Award for SuperPulse® Laser System

General Atomics Receives R&D 100 Award for SuperPulse® Laser System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug 02, 2006

General Atomics Receives R&D 100 Award for SuperPulse® Laser System

San Diego, CA - July 26, 2006 - The Commercial Laser Group of General Atomics has received the coveted R&D 100 Award for its SuperPulse® laser technology. The SuperPulse® technology has been recognized as one of the 100 most technologically significant new products of the year by R&D Magazine. The 44th annual competition of the R&D 100 Awards saw entries from many of the most prestigious companies, research organizations, and universities in the world.

In a letter to General Atomics, Tim Studt, editor of the magazine states, "Let me personally congratulate you on this remarkable product. This year's program was especially competitive and you should be proud of your accomplishment."

According to Mike Armas, Director of the Commercial Laser Group, "Much hard work went into the design and development of this advanced laser system. Many commercial and industrial applications will benefit from the SuperPulse® system." The diode-pumped, solid-state laser systems available from General Atomics have short pulse capabilities that enable new machining techniques not available through other vendors or alternate laser technology. The SuperPulse® Technology enables laser machining of any material with a precision comparable to that produced by femtosecond pulses but at a speed more than ten times greater.

For more information, please visit www.galasers.com or contact Steve Benda, Business Development Manager, Commercial Laser Group, at (858) 457-8758 or Doug Fouquet, General Atomics Public Relations, at (858) 455-2173.

About General Atomics

General Atomics, founded in 1955 with corporate headquarters in San Diego, CA, specializes in diversified research, development, and manufacturing in defense, energy and other advanced technology arenas. General Atomics' Photonics and Electro-Optics Systems sector is focused on the development of advanced laser, wireless communication and sensor products.